Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-25
" CUSSEY.'


Here is jolly little tory from the Com
panion about three little darby BOYS.
Nanny Susan was laid up with 'rheu-
matiz," and the family exchequer had been
drawn upon to its last quarter of dolla~.
The washing, which usually tapped its
white financial folds in Susan's backward,
was not to be seen, and the voice of the
laundresS herself was no more heard sing
ing, 3" Oh what will become po' sinnahsY'
with her mouth full of clothes pins.
Hobbling about her room on crutches,
the poor nanny" alternately wept,
scolded and prayed in anxiety for her three
children, the oldest of whom was Dolphus.
aged ten.
Orlander," the next of the series in
descending scale, had numbered six sum-
mers and as many variable winters, while
Spartacus was callow fledgling of four.
" 'clar' to gracious ~ nanny would
exclaim, in despairing soliloquy, 4" dem
chillen kin git outside OBJ mo- fodder dan a
boss wild the consumption !" To them she
would say scornfully, Ell don't get better
der day am er comm when Use 'bliged ter
fill yer up wild ole tin cans N sawdust
sures yer libi'
The children themselves, especially
'Dolphus, were a good deal concerned
about the bacon and taters' of the future :;
II
OF anxious solicitude whenever the subject
of g sawdust and tincan ~ was mentioned
that showed he was not wholly ignorant of
the situation.
Dolphus invested in few copies Of the
Washington Critic. but his failure in get
ting sales was so marked that he Jumped
his stock-in-trade on a tattered black
tweive-year-old, at half price, and retired
from the business.
:" lse gwine ter begin ter-morrow on de
sawdust and tin cans" grimly remarked
Nanny Susan, on the eve OF St. Patrick s
day; " dis am de las OBJ de bacon an sweet
taters." The boys made no reply, but at
the close of the meal Dolphus stepped into
the wood-shed with the whisper, Come
out ter me Iii brudder Cussey"
The infant of the gladiatorial name
stepped into the dusky wood-shed
"Shet dat kitchen DO p
Sparticus obeyed.
Now | wants ter teach yer ter cut
pigeon-wing."
Sparticus thrust his hands into the pock-
cts of his ragged little breeches, with
courage and solemnity that deserved sue
cess.
The lesson began, and notwithstanding
the size and weight of the pupils brogans,
a . shuttle" and pigeon wing" were per
"Yo' stay heah," whispered 'Dolphus,
with unnecessary severity, and instantly
disappeared. He came back in a short
time, carrying venerable banjo which had
belonged to his father. The elder brother
began stunning on the instrument, at the
same time instructing Spartacus in the
qualifications of dancer
Again disappearing. he returned with
Orlander carrying pair of bones, and the
full rehearsal of 'Dolphus' trio began. In
side the kitchen Nanny Susan heard the
energetic training and her rheumatic sides
shook with laughter. DE Lawd sake
dey done gwine ter glib a concerteener,n she
muttered, don keer eff dey don't make
er cent, jes' so dey amt shifless."
The next afternoon 'Dolphus with the
banjo, Orlander with pair of bones, and
Spartacus with his practiced heels, set out
to give their first public entertainment.
They marshaled their forces in front of the
Arlington House, to the intense amuse-
ment OF the various cab-d drivers of their
own color.
"Cussey," whispered 'Dolphus, anxious
~, yer coat is so long dat eff yer don't
hol up de tails yer'll step on to EN-.
Spartacus promptly drew a section of
coat-tail under each arm.
Now, step erroun' lively, an keep der
time J" whispered the musician. with all
the enthusiasm of manager upon the
first appearance of star"
Wealthy men of leisure, professional
politicians and L. S. Senators came down
the steps, and smiled audibly at the sable
speck of humanity, holding up the tails of
his elder brothers coat, gyrating on the
sidewalk. As for Spartacus, he was as in
different to his audience as an old cam
paigner or a true artist. He bad but one
aim, and that was to cut his pigeon wing
and dance his shuttle according to direc-
tons. He had persevered until about the
sixteenth time, when some one in the
crowd remarked. good-naturedly
"Oh, come, Sambo, it's time to pass
around the hat "
Without smile SDartacus paused, took
his cap from his woody pate, and with his
coattails dragging behind him, deliberately
pa sed up the steps to the tUrthest man
and paused in front of a Congressman.
:" hab cut de pigeon-wing," he num-
bled.
And your application shall be consid-
cred. remarked the gentlemen addressed
dropping nickle in the cap.
The proceeds. when separated from tooth
picks and buttons dropped in by the irrev-
erent cab-drivers, amounted to dollar and
fifty cents. The procession move of. and
the crowd dispersed
"Lemme tell yo','' said 'Dolphus proudly
to Nanny Susan that night, as he handed
her the receipts of his first entertainment.
femme tell yo', de reason dat Cussy takes
de cake amt kase he dance so much more
gracefuller dan oder niggahs, but kase dat
be dance SO deSpr1ttly IL diraeSt -
Moral-And that is one of the essentials
10 all success.
.